Three benefits to including prescription drug coverage in your Medicare plan

When I visit my favorite coffee shop, there are times when I’m overwhelmed by the number of choices. How is anyone supposed to know the best combination? Iced with vanilla flavoring? Hot with whip cream? It helps when the menu has coffee combinations already chosen for me. I can trust that the flavors in each drink were picked because they work well together. Plus, it’s one less choice to make in my busy day.

Choosing a medical and Part D prescription drug plan is similar.You can compare the different medical and Part D plans offered by different insurance companies and try to figure out the best combination yourself. Or, you can go with a plan the insurance company has already paired up. Like the ingredients and flavors in your favorite coffee drink, combined plans are blended together to give you the best overall experience.

So what are the benefits of buying a combined medical and Part D plan?

Fewer phone calls: You’ll have one number for all your questions. Want to know how much your labs will cost and if your medicine is covered? You can call one number to get both questions answered. With two separate plans, you’d have to call one place with your medical questions and another about your meds.

One ID card: As in one member ID number, one card and less confusion. Two separate plans means two different ID cards to keep track of.

Knowing your meds: A combined plan can help you manage your meds making sure you’re getting the most benefit from them. Check with your health plan to see if you qualify for a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program. HealthPartners UnityPoint Health members can go here to learn about their MTM.

Just like you’d ask a barista for their recommendation, be sure to talk to a Medicare expert to see if getting a combined plan is the best choice for you!

Sara Wagner is a Manager of Medicare & Individual Sales at HealthPartners. She’s been with the team for 15 years with close to 30 years of sales, service, and management experience all within the health insurance industry. In her free time, Sara enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.